Autumn Changes Lesson Plan 🍂
Grade 1 • Earth & Life Science
Autumn Changes Lesson Plan
Duration: 50 Minutes
Focus: Patterns & Seasons
Student Learning Targets ("I Can")
• I can spot 3 signs of autumn (cooler air, leaf color shifts, shorter days).
• I can explain why deciduous leaves change from green to red, yellow, and orange.
• I can describe how animals (like squirrels and birds) prepare for colder weather.
NGSS Alignment & Big Idea
1-ESS1-2: Make observations at different times of year to relate the amount of daylight to the time of year.
Crosscutting Concept: Patterns in the natural world can be observed, used to describe phenomena, and used as evidence.
Big Idea: Earth follows predictable cycles that guide how plants, animals, and people live.
🎒 Materials & Preparation Checklist
Teacher Station
Autumn Changes Slide Deck
Real sample leaves (green, red, yellow)
1 large pinecone & acorn
Per Student
Autumn Detectives Worksheet
Crayons (red, orange, yellow, brown)
Pencil & eraser
Assessment
Autumn Changes Exit Ticket
Teacher clipboard for anecdotal observation notes
⏱️ Lesson Timeline (50 Minutes Total)
Phase
Time
Core Activity
Grouping
1. Engage
8 min
Mystery Fall Bag sensory warm-up & "What is happening outside?" chart
Whole Group / Carpet
2. Explore
14 min
Slide Deck interactive viewing: leaf pigments, shorter days, squirrel cache
Whole Group & Pairs
3. Apply
18 min
Autumn Detectives Worksheet: leaf color survey, weather clothes match
Individual & Teacher Table
4. Evaluate
10 min
Autumn Changes Exit Ticket & quick campfire sharing circle
Independent Work
Autumn Changes Bundle • Grade 1 Instructional Unit Page 1 of 2
Facilitation Guide
Step-by-Step Delivery & Scaffolds
Autumn Changes Unit
1
Engage: Sensory Clue Bag (8 Minutes)
Place dry crunchy leaves, a smooth acorn, and a pinecone in an opaque canvas bag. Invite 2 volunteers to feel without looking and use descriptive sensory words (crunchy, rough, pointy, smooth ). Ask: "Which season do all of these items belong to?" Record student predictions on the board.
2
Explore: Slide Presentation & Inquiry (14 Minutes)
Project the Autumn Changes Slides . Guide students through the 3 core autumn transformations:
Sun & Sky: The sun sets earlier; days get shorter and cooler, so we wear layers (jackets, knit hats).Leaf Magic: Green chlorophyll fades as sunlight decreases, letting hidden yellows, oranges, and reds shine through!Animal Busy-Mode: Squirrels cache acorns, geese fly south (migration), and bears eat extra for winter rest.
3
Apply: Autumn Detectives Worksheet (18 Minutes)
Distribute the Autumn Detectives Worksheet . Model Section 1 on the document camera first. Encourage students to observe real leaf specimens at their tables to match leaf colors. Circulate to prompt emergent writers with sentence frames: "In autumn, the weather is _____ so I wear a _____."
⚠️ Common Misconceptions
Misconception: "Frost paints the leaves red and orange."
Reality: The bright colors were already hidden inside the leaf! When green chlorophyll fades from less sunlight, the other pigments appear.
Misconception: "Trees die when leaves fall off."
Reality: Deciduous trees are resting (dormant) to save water and energy during cold winter.
🌱 Differentiation Strategies
Support & English Learners: Provide picture-word cards for weather vocabulary (brisk, breeze, jacket, harvest). Pair with peer buddies for reading prompts.
Extension: Challenge students to create an Autumn vs. Summer contrast chart or write two sentences explaining why evergreen pines keep their needles.
Sensory Option: Provide leaf rubbings with unwrapped crayons to feel veins and leaf textures.
Autumn Changes Bundle • Grade 1 Instructional Unit Page 2 of 2
Autumn Changes Slides 🍂 Grade 1 Science • Earth & Patterns
Unit 2 • Seasonal Shifts
Autumn Changes
Let’s explore cooler breezes, colorful trees, and how nature gets ready for winter!
🍁 Changing Leaves
•
🧣 Crisp Weather
•
🐿️ Busy Animals
Pattern 1: The Sky & Air
The Air Feels Brisk and Cool!
☀️
Shorter Days
The sun sets earlier each evening. There is less daylight!
🌬️
Crisp Breezes
The hot summer air cools down. Mornings feel chilly!
🧥
Cozy Clothes
We put away shorts and reach for warm jackets, boots, and scarves.
💡 Scientist Question: What clothes did you choose to wear to school today?
Pattern 2: The Trees
Why Do Leaves Change Color?
🍃
Green Fades Away
During summer, leaves make food using green chlorophyll and sunshine.
🍁
Hidden Colors Shine!
With shorter sunny days, the green fades. Bright yellow, red, and orange appear!
🍃 ➔ 🍂
Tree Rest Time!
Dropping leaves helps trees save water and rest peacefully through cold winter months.
The bright colors were hiding inside the leaf all summer long!
Pattern 3: Animals in Action
Busy Animals Get Ready!
🐿️
Gather & Hide
Squirrels bury acorns and seeds in the dirt to snack on during winter.
🦆
Fly South
Flocks of geese migrate south to warmer places where food is easy to find.
🐻
Eat & Hibernate
Bears feast on berries and fish to gain extra body fat before a long winter rest.
Every animal has a special job to survive the upcoming frosty winter!
🗣️ Partner Turn & Talk
Time: 2 Minutes
🔍
"What autumn changes have you spotted near your home or school?"
Clue 1: Leaves
Are they red, gold, or brown?
Clue 2: Air
Do you see your breath or feel wind?
Clue 3: Animals
Do you hear geese or see squirrels?
Knee-to-knee, eye-to-eye • Take turns listening to your partner!
Next Step: Detective Time
Classroom Activity
Autumn Detectives Worksheet 🍁
Autumn Detectives Worksheet
Explore leaves, weather, and animal patterns!
Name:
Date:
1
Part 1: Leaf Color Lab
Color each leaf to match its label below
Red Leaf
Yellow Leaf
Orange Leaf
Brown Leaf
2
Part 2: What Should I Wear in Autumn?
Look at the items below. Circle the 3 items you wear when the crisp autumn air blows.
🧥 Jacket Warm Layer
🩱 Swimsuit Pool Wear
🧶 Knit Hat Head Warmth
🩴 Flip-Flops Beach Shoes
🥾 Boots Footwear
👒 Sun Hat Summer Cap
🍂 Detective Observation Check:
The days in autumn are getting shorter and cooler!
Autumn Detectives • Page 1 of 2 Turn over for Part 3 & 4 ➔
Autumn Detectives: Part 3 & 4
Observing living creatures and seasonal patterns
Grade 1 Science
3
Animal Action Match
Draw a straight line from each animal to what it does during autumn.
🐿️
Squirrel
Tree animal
🦆
Canada Goose
Flying bird
🐻
Black Bear
Forest mammal
Flies South in a 'V'
Migrates to stay warm
Eats Lots & Rests
Gets ready to hibernate
Buries Acorns
Stores food for winter
4
Autumn Scene Sketch
Draw your favorite autumn tree or an animal getting ready for winter in the frame below:
Finish this sentence about autumn:
In autumn, the leaves are
.
I like autumn because
.
Autumn Detectives • Page 2 of 2 Great job, Science Detective! ⭐
Autumn Changes Exit Ticket 🍂
Autumn Changes Quick Check
Grade 1 • Exit Ticket
Name:
Date:
1. In autumn, the days have: (Circle one)
Shorter Daylight The sun sets earlier
Longer Daylight The sun sets later
2. Why do leaves change color and drop off trees? (Circle one)
To rest and save water Getting ready for winter
Because they are hot Cooling down from summer
3. Which animal buries acorns in autumn? (Circle one)
🐿️ Squirrel
🐸 Frog
🦋 Butterfly
How do you feel about today's lesson?
😊 I got it! 🤔 Almost 🙋 Need help
✂️ Cut Here • 2 Tickets Per Sheet
🍂
Autumn Changes Quick Check
Grade 1 • Exit Ticket
Name:
Date:
1. In autumn, the days have: (Circle one)
Shorter Daylight The sun sets earlier
Longer Daylight The sun sets later
2. Why do leaves change color and drop off trees? (Circle one)
To rest and save water Getting ready for winter
Because they are hot Cooling down from summer
3. Which animal buries acorns in autumn? (Circle one)
🐿️ Squirrel
🐸 Frog
🦋 Butterfly
How do you feel about today's lesson?
😊 I got it! 🤔 Almost 🙋 Need help
